The first thing that must be done in order to control the spread of mold spores is to take care of any potential mold causing problems that may arise and not put it off till later. When given the correct conditions, mold will begin to colonize in 48 hours.

The release of toxins happens very rapidly once it begins to grow and has a viable organic food source such as drywall, wood, paper and many other natural building materials.

The symptoms that signify mold exposure can vary from person to person, often symptoms will include coughing, runny nose, headaches and even sometime blurred vision in extreme cases.

When the mycotoxins being released by the dreaded Black Mold are to numerous, respiratory problems can develop in particularly susceptible individuals. Examples of those who are affected more readily are young children/infants, pregnant women as well as the elderly or anyone else with a compromised or not fully developed immune system.

Areas that can foster a mold infestation are often moist and humid and provide a food source for the spores to multiply and grow. They will often begin to grow behind the walls of said locations and may not be visible until they reach the outside of the surface they have been devouring.

You will often see growth of mold near an ample water source such as exterior of shower walls, on ceilings in improperly ventilated bathrooms where the humidity levels are allowed to remain high for long periods of time. Also if there is any type of leak under a sink, the mold loves to infest the undersides of cabinets where it often goes unnoticed for quite a while.

These are just a few of the likely candidates where you will probably find mold growing in your home.

You must identify the type of fungus present in your home before carrying out any type of remediation as not doing so can put your health at risk with certain types of mold.

When given the correct conditions and allowed to get airborne, mold can spread to many other areas of the home, this is the main reason you should check your home’s interior from corner to corner if you suspect infestation.

After you have found the mold in your home, there are a few things you will need before the actual remediation process begins.

At a bare minimum you should get yourself the following items that can most likely be found at your local hardware or home improvement centers:
1. An approved respirator is the best but if you are not able to locate or afford this a 3M N-95 dust mask will work also.
2. Rubber gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm. (use a tougher material depending on what you will be handling during removal)
3. Goggles to protect your eyes, they should cover the eyes completely with no ventilation holes and safety glasses with open sides are not acceptable.
4. Mold and Mildew spray that will kill and encapsulate the spores. Bleach and water is not always sufficient

Now that you have all of the necessary supplies you can begin the removal process, do not attempt to remove mold without the proper PPE (personal protective equipment). Not following this advise can make you sicker than if you simply left the mold alone in the first place. Never touch your eyes or or nose with the contaminated gloves during the removal process, doing so will immediately contaminate anywhere you touch.

Wear some old clothes because you will need to get down on your knees to scrub it up so you will not want to destroy any of your nice clothes.

When removing mold always wear either old clothes that you can throw away when you are done or you may opt to purchase a Tyvek suit to protect your better clothing.

Always read the safety and usage instructions on any bottle of mold spray you decide to use during the cleanup process. Each individual product will have different instruction on the best way to remove the mold and should be followed to the T.

If you do not have any time for attempting a good scrub, there are companies that can come and they will take care of everything.

When deciding how to remove mold in your home, keep in mind that if the job is too large for you to accomplish alone there are numerous companies that specialize in this type of work. Always get at least 3 estimate from reputable companies and if necessary check references from the mold remediation companies you have selected. Mold and Mildew is a part of everyone’s life and proper prevention and or remediation is crucial to maintain the quality of our indoor air. You simply cannot put a price tag on the health and well being of your family, friends and pets, therefor mold removal and prevention should always be at the top of the list of priorities.

The danger of mold has been an issue for ages. Known as the hidden danger, mold can pose a serious threat to you and your family. There are various different types of mold that can become a problem in the home. One of the more serious is black mold. Also known as Stachybotrys it can [...]